We've all got used to No.5 for Hawthorn working his way around the packs and dishing off a precise handball to a teammate in space. That player, of course, was Sam Mitchell and, unless you've been enduring a three-month digital detox and a period of social isolation, you'll now know he is soon to be a freshly-crowned Brownlow medallist playing for the West Coast Eagles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So, who will be wearing that famous Hawthorn number next season? It's a number close to the hearts of Hawthorn fans after Mitchell donned it for 13 seasons and the much-loved Peter Crimmins wore it in 176 games. Keen observers might also be aware it was even worn by Pat Cash senior, father of the Wimbledon champ, in the 1950s.
The distinction goes to 19-year-old Ryan Burton, a tall forward who made his debut this year - wearing jumper 35 - and managed four games, including the club's qualifying final loss to Geelong.
Hawthorn have also had to find a new holder for the famous No.3 guernsey, previously worn by Jordan Lewis and arguably the club's greatest player, Leigh Matthews.
Star recruit Tom Mitchell, traded to the Hawks from Sydney to bolster a new-look midfield, now has that number.
The turnstile at Hawthorn during the trade period also saw the departure of Bradley Hill, who returned home to Western Australia to join the Dockers.
Hawthorn opted to give Hill's No.10 to the player they only secured in the final minutes of the trade period, the highly-regarded former Sun Jaeger O'Meara.
Former Richmond forward Ty Vickery has picked up Matt Spangher's No.27.
New 2017 Hawthorn numbers
3. Tom Mitchell
5. Ryan Burton
10. Jaeger O'Meara
17. Dan Howe
27. Ty Vickery
31. Ricky Henderson
35. Harry Morrison
39. Mitchell Lewis
42. Oliver Hanrahan
45. Conor Nash
46. James Cousins
